Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Thomas Fenwick DRAYTON
Drayton, Thomas Fenwick, soldier, was born in South Carolina, probably in 1807; son of William Drayton, representative from Charleston, S.C., in the 19th-22d congresses. He was graduated from the U.S. military academy in 1828 and served on garrison duty in the west and in topographical work until he resigned Aug. 15, 1836, to take up civil engineering in which he engaged in Charleston, S.C., Louisville, Ky., and Cincinnati, Ohio. He also carried on an extensive cotton plantation in St. Luke's parish, S.C., from 1838 to 1861. He served as state senator 1853-56, and as president of the Charleston & Savannah railroad, 1853-61. He then entered the Confederate service and as brigadier-general commanded the forces that occupied Hilton Head, S.C., at the time of the attack and capture of that place by the expedition under Sherman and Da Pont and in which attack his brother Percival commanded the U.S. steamer Pocahontas. He continued in the Confederate service until the surrender when he engaged in planting in Georgia. He subsequently removed to Florence, S.C., and in 1878 became president of the South Carolina immigrant association. He died in Florence, S.C., Feb. 18, 1891.
From the 1912 Newspaper article:
The oldest son, Thomas Fenwick Drayton, who was born August 24, 1808, graduated from the United States Military Academy, West Point in 1828, and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, 6th Infantry, United States Army, July 1, 1828. He resigned August 15, 1836, the routine of military life in time of peace proving irksome to him. For a time he was engaged in civil engineering work in Charleston, Louisville and Cincinnati. In 1838, however, he settled in his native State, South Carolina, where, for over twenty years, he owned and carried on a plantation, located in St. Luke's Parish.
From 1853 to 1856 he was a member of the Senate of that State, and, from 1853 to 1861, President of the Charleston and Savannah Railroad Company.
At the outbreak of the Civil War Mr. Drayton cast his fortunes with the Confederacy, receiving a commission as Brigadier-General, September 25, 1861. He was assigned to duty in Price's Division,
October 16, 1863, of which Division he was given temporary command, January 11, 1864. It fell to his lot to lead the Confederate troops on Hilton Head Island, at the time of the Port Royal expedition, in which his brother, Captain Percival Drayton, commanded a Union ship of war.
The war being over, General Drayton resumed his avocation of planter, first in Georgia, and, later, in North Carolina, he having finally removed to Charlotte. He was at one time President of the
South Carolina Immigrant Association.
General Drayton Married Catherine Pope, and died February 18, 1891. He was the father of seven children, to-wit: J. Edward, George Hughes, Anna M., William S., Mary Eding, Percival, Thomas
Fenwick and Emma Gadsden. These three survive: J. Edward Drayton, and Mrs. Joseph D. Pope, Jacksonville, Fla., and Mrs. Emma Gadsden Drayton, 1743 F street, N. W., Washington, D. C.
A deceased son, Thomas Fenwick Drayton, is survived by a son of the same name, Thomas Fenwick Drayton, Jr., Hamilton, Mont.
| HOME | EMAIL | SURNAMES |
Return to The Pennocks of Primitive Hall website.
The information in this database may contain errors. If you find any questionable data, or if you have something to add my findings, please feel free to e-mail me by clicking on the "E-MAIL" link above. Thank you!
Page built by Gedpage Version 2.21 ©2009 on 07 July 2020